Chapter 36：Low-Mid-Tier Monster (1/2)

Their group had ten people in total. Besides Hazel and Rachel, who were a summoner and a mage respectively, the rest of the team was a classical formation. There was a long-range attacker, two tankers to defend the mages and healers, two healers, two swordsmen, and another mage.

This medium-size team was overkill but Erin wanted them to gain the plant at all costs. The mana core was secondary as they couldn't consume it, but the plant was priceless.

However, the team was a mess. These people had only just met and they were being forced to work together. The guys kept throwing dirty jokes around and the girls kept ridiculing them. It was further divided as they all weren't from the same family, merely working together in a temporary alliance.

After an hour of walking, they finally reached the swamp as the scout has described. It was a dark-green waterbody that stretched as far as their eyes could see. The swamp's ground was muddy and the water was filled with plants and greasy substances. If they wanted to cross it, they would have to find a way to do so. Luckily, that was the reason Rachel and the other mage were here.

With a twist of her hand, the water split apart and a muddy ground appeared. Some weird-looking fishes flipped around struggling at the sudden loss of their water. The other mage came forward as he used his ability to harden the soil so they could walk. The group then started walking through the swamp in this manner with Rachel keeping the water away from the group and the other mage hardening the soil.

Rachel kept her ability active only as far as her magic reached, so the water went back to normal after they passed. As they kept walking forward, the water level began to decrease. After a while, they reached a low-ground where a giant tree stood in place. The tree's branches were slowly moving and flickering as a human-like face was groaning on its trunk.

”This is it, everyone. Be ready to engage. Spread out and remember, this is a low-mid-tier monster. Even a peak primitive tier can be killed by one blow from it. Long-range attackers should fall back, stay safe.” Their Leader, Marco, instructed. He was a fully-armored and honest-looking man with freckles on his face. However, unlike his timid appearance, he was a powerful warrior that could kite the monsters while protecting the non-combatant.

Hazel would have a better impression of their team leader if he didn't keep stealing glances at the girls' bodies. Everyone was aware of it, but he didn't do anything more so he was let off the hook. It was this reason and him being one of Erin's henchmen that he was still respected in the camp. She decided to let it go since he was just a man being a man.

The group spread out in a circular formation with a tank protecting the mages, healers, and the summoner. The long-range attacker took out a shotgun that had runes all over it. It was one of the latest models crafted by the combination of firearms and mana. Since he used a shotgun, he was also fully armored and prepared for close-range battles. The two swordsmen and the tanker also started advancing.

The group was now in the formation and the mages started using their spells. Hazel also summoned her three ghosts, who then combined into one giant Ogre holding a battle ax. The mere height of the thing was well over 3 meters and it had a giant build. However, it was still an undead ethereal ghost that had a major weakness and a major strength.

The swordsmen took out their sword. One of them was able to alter gravity in a certain radius and the other being able to coat his sword with lightning.

As they were in its attack range, the tree noticed them and issued a high-pitched scream. The sound waves almost injured their ears but they were able to endure it through mana. Hazel felt an ill omen as only its scream was able to disturb their mana flow. However, the group kept advancing.

The branches that moved like tentacles as they flapped about in anger. When the mages and Hazel were close enough to attack, the tanker, the swordsmen, and the gunman rushed forward closing in on the tree. The latter three waited for the tanker, Marco, to use his Skill [Intent] that was a common skill among tankers. In an unprovoked state, the monster would focus on Marco because of his threatening aura. This allowed Marco to defend the rest while they started attacking.

As he saw the branches wiggle and dart toward him like arrows, Marco lifted his shield before using his ability, Reflect. The branches kept bouncing off his shield in agony as his ability reflected a part of the damage. Some of the weaker branches cracked but most of them were unaffected.